Electron-irradiated graphene: properties and applications

Two-dimensional materials serve as an excellent platform for applications in electronics, optoelectronics, and optics, in both classical and quantum regimes. While materials with perfect crystal structures are typically preferred due to the assumption that lattice defects are detrimental, it has been shown that when these defects are created deliberately, they can be used to tune or even generate new chemical, thermal, optical, and electronic properties. This fosters the development of devices with innovative functionalities. Here, we present our research on the physical properties of electron-irradiated graphene, in the realm of defective graphene applications. We examine the temporal stability of defect sites, a key factor in determining the operational timescale of defect-based devices. We also discuss the impact of the supporting substrate and the interactions between defective nanostripes on the lateral resolution of defect patterns. Indeed, single-line or periodic multi-lines irradiation defective pattern have strong potential in plasmonics, coherent charge transport, and thermal conductivity tuning. In this context, we report our findings on the coherent charge transport of a single defective line created within the channel of graphene field-effect transistors.